[computamedic]

I think you can do a few diagnostic checks yourself to help clarify the problem.

Firstly, when you drive from cold, check the action of the oil temperature gauge. It would normally rise quite slowly as the engine warms up - probably over a 10 minute period of driving. When the temperature gauge reaches to around the first graduation mark you SHOULD notice that there is a sharp drop to, perhaps, half that level. That sharp drop is coincident with the oil thermostat opening.

I have found that in normal everyday driving the oil temperature rarely rises much above that level. However, with either some spirited driving or standing in traffic the oil temperature can very easily rise considerably. After all, the engine is partly cooled by air flowing over the barrels and when standing still the engine cooling is dependent on the air driven from the main cooling fan and the cooling of the oil in the oil cooler.

The fan on the oil cooler should normally come on at low speed once the oil temperature starts to rise much above the first mark. The high speed will only be selected if the temperature continues to rise to a much higher level. This will rarely happen in normal driving but it IS possible if standing still for an extended time.

If the oil cooler fan checks out OK it remains to be seen if the oil is reaching the cooler. A hand on the front right fender should tell you if it's hot to the touch.

Hope that helps.

Regards

Dave